Author Louise Erdrich
won the National Book Award for The Round House, her look into criminal justice issues in Indian Country.
Erdrich is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota.
Her novel is based on a fictional reservation, also in North Dakota, where a woman's assault raises jurisdictional and other issues.
Erdrich accepted the award last night in New York City. "This is a book that talks about the real situation in the real world," she told The Minneapolis Star Tribune after the ceremony.
Spokane/Coeur d'Alene author Sherman Alexie won the same award for "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" in 2007.
Get the Story:Writers Louise Erdrich, David Ferry, Katherine Boo, William Alexander win National Book Awards (AP 11/14)
Mpls. writers Erdrich, Alexander win National Book Awards (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 11/15)
Novel About Racial Injustice Wins National Book Award (The New York Times 11/15) Related Stories:
PBS: Louise Erdrich tackles crime issues in 'The Round House' (10/29)
Q&A: Louise Erdrich talks Indian crime issues in 'Round House' (10/25)
Review: Flawed but powerful 'Round House' is worth a reading (10/16)
Review: Erdrich explores legal black holes in 'The Round House' (10/15)
Review: Louise Erdrich draws in readers for 'The Round House' (10/9)
NPR: Q&A with Louise Erdrich on law and order in Indian Country (10/3)
Review: Louise Erdrich crusades for justice in 'The Round House' (10/3)
Review: Louise Erdrich explores justice issues for 'Round House' (10/1)
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